Greensboro police launch new campaign against crime

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Police are trying to get communities more involved in stopping crime by launching the new “Resolve to Know Your Neighbor Campaign” this month.

It’s an idea watchdogs like Virginia Little say is a good idea. She doesn’t wear a badge or uniform, but she’s been helping fight crime in Greensboro for the past 15 years.

“Police can’t be everywhere at all times,” Little said.

She watches out for her neighbors, and they do the same through Benbow Park’s neighborhood watch program.

“Being neighbors has helped a lot to avert the crime that could have happened,” Little said, who’s lived in the neighborhood for the past 60 years.

It’s the kind of partnering police hope to get more of through the campaign.

“The objective is to make the neighborhoods safer,” said Officer Douglas Campbell. “It helps if you have a sense of ownership of the whole community.”

Through Facebook, Twitter and Greensboro’s city website, police give tips on how to reach out to neighbors, form watch groups, and help residents figure out which officer is designated to their community.

“We’re just trying to make sure everybody knows all the resources that are available,” Campbell said.

It’s a method that’s worked in Virginia’s neighborhood.

The number of burglaries and thefts dropped nearly 50 percent from 2012 to 2013.

“It helps to know that your neighbor is going to be on watch at all times,” Little said. “They usually know when something’s going on unusual next door.”